Northville Public Schools is making waves in the Unified community! At this year’s Special Olympics Michigan Unified Champion Schools Conference, held at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, the district was recognized with two prestigious awards, celebrating our growing commitment to inclusion and belonging across all schools.
Northville received the District Growth Award, given annually to districts that demonstrate meaningful progress in their Unified programming and embody the three pillars of a Unified Champion School: Inclusive Student Leadership, Unified Sports, and Whole School Engagement. In addition, Hillside Middle School earned the Most Improved Player Award for its tremendous strides in building a more inclusive, unified school culture.
These recognitions come at a particularly exciting moment for our district. In September 2024, Special Olympics Michigan officially named Northville Public Schools one of the first Unified Champion School Districts in the state. This prestigious designation honors our district-wide efforts to expand inclusive opportunities, unify student voices, and build stronger connections through leadership, sports, and school-wide activities.
Northville’s Unified journey began in 2018, when Northville High School was first named a Unified Champion School. That commitment deepened in 2021, when NHS received National Banner Recognition—a distinction awarded to schools that meet 10 national standards of excellence in inclusive practices.
At this year’s conference, 14 Northville staff members—representing elementary, middle, and high school levels—came together to learn, collaborate, and plan the next phase of our Unified work. Their participation reflects Northville’s commitment to becoming a fully Unified District, where all schools feel connected and supported in fostering inclusive environments.
Mary Curran, ASD Teacher at Hillside Middle School, shared some of her key takeaways from the event. “I left the conference with a deeper understanding of how to inspire and support student leaders within our Unified programs,” Curran said. “We also explored ways to make these efforts sustainable by embedding them into existing district systems and ensuring that all staff are equipped with the knowledge to support inclusive practices.”
Curran added that the conference sparked plenty of fresh ideas—from new sports and activities at the middle school level to meaningful ways of teaching inclusion. “One of the most valuable aspects was connecting with educators across Michigan—learning from their successes and bringing those ideas back to strengthen our efforts in Northville.”
We’re incredibly proud to be recognized at the state level and thankful to everyone helping put Northville on the map as a leader in inclusive education and student leadership.